Aligner gauge



Sept. 8, 1942. c. l. SANDBO -ALIGNER GAUGE Fil ed June 17, 1940 2Sheets-She at 1 FIG.I

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p 9 c. SANDBO 2 ,295,184

ALIGNER GAUGE Filed June 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENT OR.

FIG. l5

Patented Sept. 8, 1942 ALIGNER GAUGE Clarence I. Sandbo, Rock Island,

111., assignor of one-half to Lee Roy Dehler, Rock Island, Ill., andone-third to W. Leroy Hoehn, Davenport,

Iowa

Application June 17, 1940, Serial No. 341,056

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in gauges, particularly asshown in my patent application, Serial No. 256,311 for measuring vehiclewheel alignment of which this application is a continuation-in-part.

The primary objects of th invention are to provide a simple, compact,exceptionally accurate though inexpensive device for measuring the kingpin inclination angle, caster angle, camber angle and steering geometryin vehicle wheel alignment,

The checking of camber, caster and king pin inclination is made withoutthe use of turntables or slip plates and does not require a level floor.

Other objects of the invention are the checking of the relative positionof one vehicle spring seat to the other; for checking and measuring axletwist; for checking rear axle of vehicle for presence of camber; forchecking king pin inclination angle when axle is removed from vehicle byuse of cones and shaft; for checking twist of axle by placing rightangle base of gauge on spring seat in either upright or invertedposition.

An adjustable, sliding calibrated dial used to compensate forunlevelness of floor when found necessary and adjustable to change fromdirect reading of camber t indirect reading of caster and king pininclination.

A gauge having an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket, the base of which is pivotally attached to pointer by use ofpin through center of base fastened with conical spring and cotter pin;a spirit level housing supported between two forks of bracket in sleevebearings; the spirit level housing having a balance weight securelyattached to lower sleeve of spirit level housing; means for turningspirit level bracket so that spirit level is either horizontal orperpendicular to the pointer; two abutment pins releasably attached totop surface of the base of spirit level bracket. Spirit level bracketstop is securely attached to pointer with means to stop turn of spiritlevel bracket so that spirit level is either horizontal or perpendicularto pointer by abutment pins contacting spirit level bracket stop; spiritlevel is securely inserted in housing having its upper surface cut awayto expose upper portion of spirit level; abutment pins have screw driverslots with means for removing abutment pin from spirit level bracketbase.

Set screws hold the sleeves of bearings in place in the forks of thebracket. Means with the use of a single spirit level for degree readingsof the 55 so that opposite gauge at right angle, at vertical or invertedposition from a given plane.

A rotary level with balance weight attached securely to lower surface ofspirit level housing angles of camber and king pin angle to caster angledoes not affect spirit level reading in checking caster angle as bubbletakes line of least resistance resulting in accurate readings which isimpossible when instrument with stationary spirit level is moved from aset position to another position in an are. With means for checking bysecurely attaching gauge to bracket attached to spindle or by applyingright angle gauge against the spindle bracket shaft.

The spirit level housing is balanced so as to keep the spirit levelbubble in an upright position at all times.

In the drawings accompanying and forming'a part of thi application Ihave shown the general features of my invention, Fig. 1 is a frontelevation. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of an aligner gauge embodying myimprovements. Fig. 3 is a top View of spirit level bracket. Fig. 4 is afront view of spirit level bracket. Fig. 5 is a front view of spiritlevel showing housing and balance weight. Fig. 6 is a side view ofspirit level housing and balance weight. Fig. 7 is a side view ofbearing sleeve. Fig. 8 is an end view of bearing sleeve. Fig. 9 is aside view of spindle bracket shaft. Fig. 10 is an end view of base ofthe spindle bracket shaft. Fig. 11 is a front view and Fig. 12 is a sideView of another modification of my invention. Fig, 13 is a front viewand Fig. 14 is a side view of still another modification of myinvention. Fig. 15 is an isometric view of an aligner gauge embodying myimprovements attached in position for measuring king pin inclinationangle.

In Figs. 1 to 10 indicator pointer 2 is pivotally attached to gauge bodyI by cap screw 24. Cap screw 24 is provided with shoulder to abutagainst gauge body I securely holding extension support 21 to gauge bodyI. Cap screw 24 has bearing shoulder of sufficient length for spacerequired by thickness of indicator pointer 2, washer 25 and spacingwasher 26. Spirit level bracket 3 as shown in Fig. 4 is securelyattached to indicator pointer 2 by means of upset head pin 3!, conicalspring 52 and cotter pin 38 through upset head pin 3L Spirit levelhousing 5 is swingably attached to bracket 3 and held in position bybearing sleeves 12 in bracket 3 by use of set screws 8. The circularbearing shaft 33 is integral with universal lever l8 extending in alateral position through slot 34 in by bracket 42.

indicator pointer 2, shaft 33 has internal thread on end with means forconnecting lever 58 to indicator pointer 2 by use of cap screw 19 andwasher 28. Universal lever i8 is attached to gauge body I by a circularbearing shaft 35 in connection with a conical spring 23, washer 22 andcap screw 2|. Support pins securely fastened to gauge body I act asguiding supports for dial 35. Slot 3'! in gauge body I is for thepurpose of adjusting, turning, and sliding dial 36. Right angle base 29is securely attached to gauge body I. Wing nut I6 and washer IT inconnection with threaded pin l4 securely fastened to calibrated dial 35is used for holding calibrated dial in any given position on gauge bodyI. A conical spring 23 is placed between washer 22 and gauge body I forthe purpose of applying tension on universal lever l8 and as a means forholding indicator pointer 2 in any desired position. Extension support2'! may be of either round or square material drilled and threaded inone end for the purpose of being attached in a stationary position atright angle to gauge body I by use of cap screw 2 The opposite end ofthe extension support 2'! has two holes drilled at right angles to eachother in the horizontal plane. The thumb screw 28 is used for thepurpose of securely fastening extension support 21 to bracket shaft 39either in a parallel or right angle position, Calibrated measuring plate39 is used for the purpose of determining the degree turn of Vehiclewheel in connection with aligner gauge structure. Thumb screw 35 is usedfor the purpose of securely holding calibrated measuring plate 39 onbracket shaft 35. Bracket shaft 3!! is releasably attached to vehiclewheel spindle.

In Figs. 11 and 12 another type of device is shown comprising myinvention. Adjusting knurled screw 4| is attached to gauge body 50 Inturning adjusting knurled screw 4| to the right or left indicatorpointer is moved in swinging position on gauge body lc. The elongatedcoil spring 43 is attached to spacer washer 44. The opposite end of theelongated coil spring is attached to spacing block 45. Spacing block 45is securely attached to indicator pointer 20. Elongated coil spring itholds indicator pointer 20 against end of threaded shaft of adjustingknurled screw M.

In Figs. 13 and 14 a somewhat similar aligner gauge is shown with rackand pinion device to move indicator pointer 22) on gauge body lb in aswinging motion by turning knurled adjustment button 45 which operatesgear 41. Gear 41 travels in clearance slot 28 and meshes with rack teeth49 which is a part of gauge body lb. When knurled adjustment button 65is turned to right from center, indicator pointer 217 will move to righton gauge body lb. When knurled adjustment button 46 is turned to left,indicator pointer 21) will move to left from center on gauge body lb.Gear 41 is integral with shaft 59, shaft 59 having bearing surface onboth sides of gear 41. One end of shaft 59 is threaded for attachinglock-nuts 5! and 52 and the opposite end is provided with hole for pin53 to attach knurled adjustment button 45 to shaft 53. Bearing boss 54is placed between gauge body lb and fiat spring washer 55. Gear 41 isheld in mesh with rack teeth 49 with adjustable tension by flat springwasher 55 in connection with lock-nuts 5| and 52.

Spindle bracket shaft 30 as shown in Fig. 9 has two ofisets for thepurpose of attaching calibrated measuring plate 39 and aligner gaugebody I in assembly as shown in Fig. 15. Telescopic pointer 56 shown inFig. 15 is releasably attached to fender of vehicle by spring clamp 51.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. An aligner gauge comprising in combination: a gauge body having aright angle base securely attached to gauge body at right angle tocenter of gauge body; an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket consisting of a circular base and two forks in a position atright angle to base of the bracket; the base of the bracket attached tothe face of the pointer by a pivotal axis at right angle to the face ofthe pointer; spirit level housing swingably attached between two forksof bracket and having an extension shaft at each end forming spiritlevel housing axis; outer ends of bracket forks provided with sleevebearings parallel with base and in direct line with each other and meansfor securely fastening sleeves; a balance weight securely attached tolower surface of spirit level housing; means for turning spirit levelbracket on pointer in position so that spirit level is either parallelor perpendicular to indicator pointer; spirit level bracket stopsecurely attached to pointer; two abutment pins releasably attached totop surface of the base of spirit level bracket with means for degreereading of gauge at right angle, at vertical or inverted position from agiven plane; 9, rectangular shaped calibrated dial having degree readingscales; indicator pointer pivotally attached to gauge body near base ofgauge body swingable over gauge body and calibrated dial; an adjustable,sliding calibrated dial releasably attached to upper extremity of gaugebody; an extension support releasably attached to back side of gaugebody; means for securely ttaching extension support of gauge body tospindle bracket with gauge body in posi tion parallel to orperpendicular to lane of wheel; a universal lever operating on a fulcrumattached to gauge body and connected with pointer.

2. An aligner gauge comprising in combination: a gauge body having aright angle base securely attached to gauge body at right angle tocenter of gauge bod an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket consisting of a circular base and two forks in a position atright angle to base of the bracket; the base of the bracket attached tothe face of the pointer by a pivotal axis at right angle to the face ofthe pointer; spirit level housing swingably attached between two forksof bracket and having an eX- tension shaft at each end forming spiritlevel housing axis; outer ends of bracket forks provided with sleevebearings parallel with base and in direct line with each other and meansfor securely fastening sleeves; a balance weight securely attached tolower surface of spirit level housing; means for turning spirit levelbracket on pointer in position so that spirit level is either parallelor perpendicular to indicator pointer; spirit level bracket stopsecurely attached to pointer; two abutment pins releasably attached totop surface of the base of spirit level bracket with means for degreereading of gauge at right angle, at vertical or inverted position from agiven plane; a rectangular shaped calibrated dial having degree readingscales indicator pointer pivotally attached to gauge body near base ofgauge body swingable over gauge body and calibrated dial; an adjustable,sliding calibrated dial releasably attached to upper extremity of gaugebody; an extension support releasably attached to back side of gaugebody; means for securely attaching extension support of gauge body tospindle bracket with gauge body in position parallel to or perpendicularto plane of wheel; a rack and pinion adjusting device attached to gaugebody and connected with indicator pointer.

3. An aligner gauge comprising in combination: a gauge body having aright angle base securely attached to gauge body at right angle tocenter of gauge body; an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket consisting of a circular base and two forks in a position atright angle to base of the bracket; the base of the bracket attached tothe face of the pointer by a pivotal axis at right angle to the face ofthe pointer; spirit level housing swingably attached between two forksof bracket and having an extension shaft at each end forming spiritlevel housing axis; outer ends of bracket forks provided with sleevebearings parallel with base and in direct line with each other and meansfor securely fastening sleeves; a balance weight securely attached tolower surface of spirit level housing; means for turning spirit levelbracket on pointer in position so that spirit level is either parallelor perpendicular to indicator pointer; spirit level bracket stopsecurely attached to pointer; two abutment pins releasably attached totop surface of the base of spirit level bracket with means for degreereading of gauge at right angle, at vertical or inverted position from agiven plane; a rectangular shaped calibrated dial having degree readingscales; indicator pointer pivotally attached to gauge body near base ofgauge body swingable over gauge body and calibrated dial; an adjustable,sliding calibrated dial releasably attached to upper extremity of gaugebody; an extension support releasably attached to back side of gaugebody; means for securely attaching extension support of gauge body tospindle bracket with gauge body in position parallel to or perpendicularto plane of wheel; a coil spring and an adjusting set screw deviceattached to gauge body and connected with indicator pointer.

4. An aligner gauge comprising in combination: a gauge body having aright angle base securely attached to gauge body at right angle tocenter of gauge body; an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket consisting of a circular base and two forks in a position atright angle to base of the bracket; the base of bracket attached to theface of the pointer by a pivotal axis at right angle to the face of thepointer; spirit level housing swingably attached between two forks ofbracket and having an extension shaft at each end forming spirit levelhousing axis; outer ends of bracket forks provided with sleeve bearingsparallel with base and in direct line with each other and means forsecurely fastening sleeves; a balance weight securely attached to lowersurface of spirit level housing; means for turning spirit level bracketon pointer in position so that spirit level is either parallel orperpendicular to indicator pointer; spirit level bracket stop securelyattached to pointer; two abutment pins releasably attached to topsurface of the base of spirit level bracket; an adjustable, slidingcalibrated dial releasably attached to upper extremity of gauge body.

5. An aligner gauge comprising in combination: a gauge body having aright angle base securely attached to gauge body at right angle tocenter of gauge body; an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket consisting of a circular base and two forks in a position atright angle to base of the bracket; the base of bracket attached to theface of the pointer by a pivotal axis at right angle to the face of thepointer; spirit level housing swingably attached between two forks ofbracket and having an extension shaft at each end forming spirit levelhousing axis; outer ends of bracket forks provided with sleeve bearingsparallel with base and in direct line with each other and means forsecurely fastening sleeves; a balance weight securely attached to lowersurface of spirit level housing; an adjustable, sliding calibrated dialreleasably attached to upper extremity of gauge body; a bracket withmeans for attaching aligner gauge to wheel spindle.

6. An aligner gauge comprising in combination: a gauge body having aright angle base securely attached to gauge body at right angle tocenter of gauge body; an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket consisting of a circular base and two forks in a position atright angle to base of the bracket; the base of bracket attached to theface of the pointer by a pivotal axis at right angle to the face of thepointer; spirit level housing swingably attached between two forks ofbracket and having an extension shaft at each end forming spirit levelhousing axis; outer ends of bracket forks provided with sleeve bearingsparallel with base and in direct line with each other and means forsecurely fastening sleeves; a balance weight securely attached to lowersurface of spirit level housing; an adjustable, sliding calibrated dialreleasably attached to upper extremity of gauge body; adjustable,sliding calibrated dial has one calibration scale for degree reading ofaxle caster, and king pin inclination angle, another calibrated scalefor direct degree reading.

7. An aligner gauge comprising in combination: a gauge body having aright angle base securely attached to gauge body at right angle tocenter of gauge body; an indicator pointer provided with a spirit levelbracket consisting of a circular base and two forks in a position atright angle to base of the bracket; the base of bracket attached to theface of the pointer by a pivotal axis at right angle to the face of thepointer; spirit level housing swingably attached between two forks ofbracket and having an extension shaft at each end forming spirit levelhousing axis; outer ends of bracket forks provided with sleeve bearingsparallel with base and in direct line with each other and means forsecurely fastening sleeves; a balance weight securely attached to lowersurface of spirit level housing; an adjustable, sliding calibrated .dialreleasably attached to upper extremity of gauge body; means for slidingdial to compensate for starting point other than center of gauge bodycaused by varied elevation upon which alignment readings are to bedetermined.

CLARENCE I. SANDBO.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,295,131,. September 8, 19LL2.

CLARENCEI. SANDBO.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above "numbered patentrequiring correctionas follows: In the grant, line 2, and in the headingto the printed. specification, lines 5 and 14., for assignor ofone-half" read assignor of onethird, as shown by the record ofassignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patentshouldbelread with this correction therein that the same may conform tothe record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of October, A. D. 19l 2.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

